Tower of Hercules – Spain | Atlas Obscura See more things to do in Spain » Built around the 2nd century and originally known as the “Farum Brigantium” or “Brigantia Lighthouse” the structure looks as though it could have been built just decades ago. The beacon is located atop a small hill promontory that was likely chosen by its ancient Roman builders not only for its view of the sea, but the spot may also have been a sacred space dedicated to the demigod Hercules. As part of one of the mythic Twelve Labors of Hercules, the super strong son of Zeus is said to have killed the giant Gerylon with an arrow dipped in Hydra’s blood. Then in a gesture that is more Celtic than Roman, the legend says that Hercules buried the giant with his weapons and ordered a city built atop the burial site. While the area where the tower is built was rather barren when it was originally built, the surrounding city of Corunna has sprung up around it across the millennia. While there are not actually titanic bones beneath the tower, the legend is so pervasive that an image of the tower atop a skull and bones is the centerpiece of the city’s coat of arms.

Today the Tower of Hercules is still used as a lighthouse. It was refurbished in the 18th century which accounts for its well preserved condition in the present. Tower of Hercules - UNESCO World Heritage Centre Tower of Hercules Indicators Tower of Hercules The Tower of Hercules has served as a lighthouse and landmark at the entrance of La Coruña harbour in north-western Spain since the late 1st century A.D. when the Romans built the Farum Brigantium. The Tower, built on a 57 metre high rock, rises a further 55 metres, of which 34 metres correspond to the Roman masonry and 21 meters to the restoration directed by architect Eustaquio Giannini in the 18th century, who augmented the Roman core with two octagonal forms. Immediately adjacent to the base of the Tower, is a small rectangular Roman building. The site also features a sculpture park, the Monte dos Bicos rock carvings from the Iron Age and a Muslim cemetery. The Roman foundations of the building were revealed in excavations conducted in the 1990s.

Many legends from the Middle Ages to the 19th century surround the Tower of Hercules, which is unique as it is the only lighthouse of Greco-Roman antiquity to have retained a measure of structural integrity and functional continuity. Tour d’Hercule La Tour d’Hercule sert de phare et de repère terrestre à l’entrée du port de La Corogne, au nord-ouest de l’Espagne, depuis la fin du 1er siècle après J.C., date à laquelle les Romains construisirent le Farum Brigantium. La Tour,construite sur un rocher représentant déjà une altitude de 57 m, atteint les 55m, dont 34 correspondent à la structure du phare romain et 21 à la restauration dirigée par l’architecte Eustaquio Giannini au XVIIIe siècle et qui ajouta à la structure romaine deux formes octogonales. A la base, se trouve un petit bâtiment romain rectangulaire.

Le site comporte aussi un parc de sculptures, ainsi que les pétroglyphes du Monte dos Bicos datant de l’âge du Fer et un cimetière musulman. Les fondations romaines du phare ont été dégagées lors de fouilles menées dans les années 1990. De nombreuses légendes accompagnent l’histoire de la Tour du Moyen Age au XIXème siècle. C’est le seul cas de phare de l’Antiquité gréco-romaine véritablement conservé et toujours en activité. برج هِرَقْل اُستخدم برج هِرَقْل كمنارة ومعْلم في مدخل ميناء لاكورنيا الواقع في شمال ـ غرب اسبانيا منذ أواخر القرن الأول بعد الميلاد، عندما أنشأ الرومان برج بريغانتيا (Farum Brigantium). ويصل ارتفاع البرج، الذي أنشئ على صخرة يبلغ ارتفاعها 57 متراٌ، إلى أكثر من 55 متراً.

وينقسم إلى ثلاثة مستويات تتدرج في الصغر، يخص أولها الطراز الروماني لبناء المنارات. ويلاصق قاعدة البرج مباشرة مبنى صغير مستطيل الشكل ذو طابع روماني. ويشمل هذا الموقع أيضاً مُجمّعاً يحوي نقوشاً صخرية تخص جبل بيكوس يعود تاريخها إلى عصر الحديد، فضلاً عن مدافن إسلامية. وقد اكتشفت أساسات المبنى ذات الطراز الروماني خلال الحفريات التي جرت في التسعينات. وثمة العديد من الأساطير التي تتعلق ببرج هِرَقْل انتشرت بدءاً من العصور الوسطى حتى القرن التاسع عشر، حيث أن هذا البرج يُعتبر فريداً من نوعه لأنه يمثل المنارة الوحيدة من العصر الإغريقي الروماني التي احتفظت بقدر معقول من سلامة بنيتها واستمرار تشغيلها.

source: UNESCO/ERI Torre de Hércules La Torre de Hércules sirve como faro y emblema de la entrada al puerto de La Coruña (noroeste) desde el siglo I de nuestra era, cuando los romanos lo construyeron con el nombre de Farum Brigantium. Este faro monumental de 55 metros está edificado sobre una roca que de 57 metros de altura. La torre consta de tres niveles que se van estrechando hacia la cúspide y el primero de ellos corresponde a la estructura del faro romano. Adyacente a su base, se halla un pequeño edificio romano de forma rectangular. El sitio comprende también los petroglifos del Monte dos Bicos que datan de la Edad de Hierro, un cementerio musulmán y un parque de esculturas. Los cimientos romanos del faro se pusieron al descubierto durante una serie de excavaciones arqueológicas llevadas a cabo en el decenio de 1990.

Desde la Edad Media hasta el siglo XIX, numerosas leyendas han ido jalonando la historia de la Torre de Hércules. Es el único faro de la Antigüedad grecorromana que ha conservado en cierta medida su integridad estructural y que sigue desempeñando la misma función.

source: UNESCO/ERI ヘラクレスの塔 ヘラクレスの塔は、ローマの人びとが1世紀後半にブリガンティウムの塔という名で建てて以来、スペイン北西部のコルーニャ港入り口で灯台や陸標（ランドマーク）としての役目を担ってきた。高さ57mの岩盤上に建ち、塔自体も55mある。構造は修復の過程で3段階に分けられ、塔の初段がローマ時代の灯台にあたる。その基部に隣接して建つ長方形の部分はローマ時代のものである。ローマ時代の基礎部分は1990年代の発掘調査で確認された。現在も原形を残し、いまだに機能する古代グレコ-ローマ時代の灯台は唯一無二で、中世から19世紀まで無数の伝説に彩られている。ほかに、彫刻公園、鉄器時代に遡るモンテ・ドス・ビ

コスの岩絵などを含む。 Tower of Hercules, Spain - Map, Facts, Location, Information, Tours Tower of Hercules Tower of Hercules PDF The Tower of Hercules is notable for being one of few examples of a surviving Greco-Roman lighthouse.

The Tower of Hercules is an ancient lighthouse that stands at the opening of La Coruña harbor on the northwestern coast of Spain. The lighthouse stands along the sea route from the Mediterranean Sea to northwestern Europe. The Tower of Hercules is notable for being one of few examples of a surviving Greco-Roman lighthouse, and the oldest of its kind that has remained in use, though it has undergone construction. The lighthouse stands along the coast as a symbol for the lasting power of the Romans and their impressive architectural knowledge. The structure has withstood the wear and tear of the winds and waters of the coast, and even devastating earthquakes couldn’t knock it down. Many legends have surrounded the Tower of Hercules, claiming mythical origins. The tower’s namesake, Hercules, is said to have won a fight with a giant, and buried its head and weapons at the site. Other mythologies of the structure include a Gaelic Celtic legend, in which King Breogán had the site built to stand as a beacon to his sons. For this legend, a statue of the king continues to guard the lighthouse.

Built in the 1st century AD by the Romans, likely during Trajan’s rule, the tower was known as Farum Brigantium, after the lighthouse in Alexandria, Egypt’s island, Pharos. However, the tower has gone through many names over its long history. Roman explorers arrived in La Coruña’s port of Brigantium around 61BC, and began to colonize the area. The port was important for defense and trade, guarding the entrance to the Bay of Biscay. The area had been a dangerous one for ships, dubbed the Coast of Death by the early Roman seamen. Though the presence of lighthouse has helped to increase safety, the orientation of the light house seems to have been constructed to aid travelers coming from the area that is now the United Kingdom, rather than those coming from the mainland of Europe. The tower has been restored several times over its history, and probably had some reconstructions in around 1684. Later, the tower was again restored during the 18th century by Eustaquio Giannini, a naval engineer, who altered the form of the tower and added 21 meters in height to the once 34-meter tall tower.

Construction on the tower was continued by Giannini’s brother, Jose Giannini from 1799 to 1806. Though it still functions today, the lighthouse was not used continuously throughout history, with a long period of disuse – probably after the Viking invasions. The tower itself may still have been used during this time. The town around the tower thrived during the 11th or 12th century, and the townspeople used the structure as a defensive observation post. The town grew rapidly in the 14th and 15th centuries, and the tower was heralded as an icon of the city. The site was excavated in the 1990s, and historians were able to discover more information about the tower’s history, particularly regarding its Roman origins. Tower of Hercules Location Map Tower of Hercules Facts The Tower of Hercules went electric in 1926, increasing its light output to 32 nautical miles of visibility. The lighthouse stands 55 meters (180 feet) tall, and is Spain’s second tallest lighthouse. The structure was built atop a rock that is 57 meters (187 feet) tall.

The original architect of the tower was most likely Gaius Sevius Lupus. Where is Tower of Hercules? The Tower of Hercules is located in the city of La Coruña (also referred to as A Coruña) in Spain’s autonomous region, Galicia. Galicia is a large region in northwestern Spain. La Coruña is served by the A Coruña Airport, or Alvedro Airport, just outside the city. Alternatively, the Santiago de Compostela airport, Lavacolla is a larger airport in the region, though it is farther away. The city’s train and bus stations also offer service with both domestic and international destinations. To get around town, recommended transportation options are car rental, the tram, or a taxi. Best Time To Visit Tower of Hercules As the town of La Coruña is located on the northern coast of Spain, the climate is not what many expect of the warm, Mediterranean Spain. Cooler and more variable weather is what is found in this coastal area, with fewer extremes in temperature. August boasts of long and generally warm days, which are perfect for visiting the beaches and the Tower of Hercules.

Nearby Attractions of Tower of Hercules Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, Porto, Bilbao Last updated : Saturday, September 12, 2015 10 Most Famous Lighthouses In The World - 10 Most Today 10 Most Famous Lighthouses In The World 3 Comments 1. Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, Argentina – Also known as the ‘the lighthouse at the end of the world’, this lighthouse is located on a small island 5 nmi (which are 9.3 km) east to the Argentinian city of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. The lighthouse was built in 1920 and is now a popular tourists attraction and can be reached only by boat Most Famous Lighthouses In The World: Les Eclaireurs lighthouse, Argentina 2. Sambro Island Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, Canada – Located on an island near the community of Sambro in Nova Scotia, Canada, this lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in North America. It first lit in 1758 and it became automated in 1988.

The lighthouse is 82 ft (25 m) tall Most Famous Lighthouses In The World: Sambro Island Lighthouse 3. Cape Hatteras Light, North Carolina, United States – Located on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks, this lighthouse was first built in 1802. The current 210 feet (64 m) high lighthouse was built in 1870 and is tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. It is still activated today Most Famous Lighthouses In The World: Cape Hatteras Light, North Carolina 4. Peggys Point Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, Canada – Peggys Point or Peggys Cove lighthouse is a famous and iconic Canadian monument. First lit in 1915, the lighthouse today is one of the busiest tourist attractions in Nova Scotia and the focal point of the Lighthouse Trail scenic drive Most Famous Lighthouses In The World: Peggys Point Lighthouse 5.

Kullen Lighthouse, Sweden – Located atop a hill, in south-west coast of Sweden, this lighthouse is one of the most famous landmarks in Sweden and perhaps Scandinavia Most Famous Lighthouses In The World: Kullen Lighthouse, Sweden 6. Tower of Hercules, Spain – An ancient Roman lighthouse 2.4 km (1.5 mi) from the city of Corunna, in north-western Spain. This ancient lighthouse is 55 metres (180 ft) tall and almost 1900 years old. It was rehabilitated in 1791. The Tower of Hercules is the oldest Roman lighthouse in use today. It is a National Monument of Spain, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site Most Famous Lighthouses In The World: Tower of Hercules, Spain 7. Slettnes Lighthouse, Norway – The northernmost lighthouse on the European mainland, most often considered the North Cape Light, marking the “top” of Europe. The lighthouse first lit in 1905, heavily damaged during the second world war by German troops, and was restored after the war Most Famous Lighthouses In The World: Slettnes Lighthouse, Norway 8.

Kõpu Lighthouse, Estonia – This ancient lighthouse is located on the island of Hiiumaa in Estonia. It is the third oldest operating lighthouse in the world, having been in continuous use since 1531 Most Famous Lighthouses In The World: Kõpu Lighthouse, Estonia 9. Bell Rock Lighthouse, Scotland – The world’s oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse was built on the Bell Rock, 11 miles (18 km) from the shoreline! First lit in 1811, it stands 35 metres (115 ft) tall and its light is visible from 35 statute miles (56 km) inland. The challenges faced in the building of the lighthouse have led to it being described as one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World Bell Rock Lighthouse, Scotland 10. Jeddah Light, Saudi Arabia – This huge lighthouse was built as late as 1990.

It reaches a height of 436 feet (133 m) which makes it the world’s tallest lighthouse Most Famous Lighthouses In The World: Jeddah Light, Saudi Arabia The Tower of Hercules (La Coruña – Spain) · Lomography 2009-10-28 3 8 Share Tweet Wohhh !!! It is almost 1900 years old, and is the oldest Roman lighthouse still used !!! And you can see it FOR FREE !!!! The Tower of Hercules (Galician and Spanish: Torre de Hércules) is an ancient Roman lighthouse on a peninsula about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the centre of La Coruña, Galicia, in north-western Spain. It is 55 metres (180 ft) tall and overlooks the North Atlantic coast of Spain. The Tower of Hercules is a National Monument of Spain and since 27 June 2009 is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tower is known to have existed by the 2nd century, built or perhaps rebuilt under the roman emperor Trajan (he was a spanish …), perhaps over an ancient one.

At its base is preserved the cornerstone with the inscription MARTI AUG.SACR C.SEVIVS LUPUS ARCHTECTUS AEMINIENSIS LVSITANVS.EX.VO, permitting the original lighthouse tower to be ascribed to the architect Gaius Sevius Lupus, from Aeminium (present-day Coimbra, Portugal) in the former province of Lusitania, as an ex voto dedicated to Mars. The tower has been in constant use since the 2nd century and considered to be the oldest existing lighthouse in the world. Originally it was constructed with an ascending ramp encircling its sides, for oxen to bring cartloads of wood to keep the light fueled at night. In 1788 the original 34 metres (110 ft), 3-storey tower was given a neoclassical restoration. We can see with this “dress” today. Through the millennial many mythical stories of its origin have been told. According to a myth that blends Celtic and Greco-Roman elements, the hero Hercules slew the giant tyrant Geryon after three days and three nights of continuous battle.

Hercules then—in a Celtic gesture— buried the head of Geryon with his weapons and ordered that a city be built on the site. The lighthouse atop a skull and crossbones representing the buried head of Hercules’ slain enemy appears in the coat-of-arms of the city of La Coruña. Another legend embodied in the 11th-century compilation Lebor Gabala Erren— the “Book of Invasions”— King Breogán, the founding father of the Galician Celtic nation, constructed here a massive tower of such a grand height that his sons could see a distant green shore from its top. The glimpse of that distant green land lured them to sail north to Ireland. A colossal statue of Breogán has been erected near the Tower. All this is history and legend. But the Tower of Hércules is much more. To come to this place, we can use the car, which we will be able to park at to his feet. But, if the time accompanies, I suggest to do the walk from the city of La Coruña on foot or in bicycle.

We will go, little by little, feeling the sea, his force, his smell… to come to the tower after having enjoyed a marvelous walk!!! Intention to the whole world to know this monument and the scenery that surrounds it!!! About | O Faro O Faro A Galicia Blog IN THE EXTREME NORTHWEST CORNER of the Iberian Peninsula a cape–known to the Romans as Finis Terrae, the End of the Earth–juts into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean. A lighthouse sits atop this rocky point, guiding ships to safe passage along the Coast of Death, a notorious coastline littered with shipwrecks. Farther north along the coast stands the Tower of Hercules–the oldest Roman lighthouse still in use today. According to legend, before the Romans arrived a massive tower stood on this same spot where, from atop, the son of Breogán spotted a distant green island across the sea, prompting him to sail to Éire, becoming the first Celtic inhabitant of Ireland. This blog, O Faro, is inspired by these lighthouses.

However, instead of navigating ships away from dangerous shores or illuminating faraway lands, O Faro–which means lighthouse in the Galician language–seeks to guide the curious inland to discover Galicia, the land where these lighthouses stand watch. Galicia is in Spain but is not Spanish–Galicia has a vibrant culture and identity that is distinct from Spain. The casual reader may be familiar with the Camino de Santiago or a bottle of albariño found at the local wine store. O Faro intends to go beyond these and delve deeper into the dynamic culture of Galicia via translated essays about Galicia; poetry and prose from Galician writers translated to English; works from historical and contemporary Galician artists; photography and videos; as well as original essays and fiction by the blog’s author.

“Piercing the fog around us, the tower illuminates the limits of life.” Manuel Rivas Oldest man made structures in the world which are still in use - Lifestyle Lifestyle Surgical Strikes At LoC: US Objects To Pak's Nuke Threats Against India Army Chief Likely Visits J&K To Review Security Situation Hillary Clinton Fears Emergence Of Nuclear Suicide Bombers From Pakistan Raj Thackeray Slams Salman Khan For Supporting Pakistan Artistes Pakistani Troops Target Indian Posts, Civilian Areas In Kashmir's Akhnoor 17 Oct 2015, 13:30 Jagran Post News Desk Jagran Post Editorial | Last Updated: 17 Oct 2015, 13:30 New Delhi: Since the time immemorial on the earth, buildings or shelters have been necessity for humans. Ancient buildings have always proved to be a mystery for the modern architects. The perfection and accuracy with which these ancient structures have been made, and that too without any modern or scientific machineries, have left the world amazed and curious at the same time. Some hidden facts about Vaishno Devi you never knew!

Photo for Representation Today, though most of us are surrounded by latest technology and modern architecture, one still longs for historic structures that remind us of our roots. Here, we bring you a list of world's oldest man made structures that are still in use: 1. The Tower of Hercules: An ancient Roman lighthouse, the Tower of Hercules, was built in 2nd century and is the world's oldest existing lighthouse which is still being used. The 1900-year-old structure overlooks the Atlantic Coast of Spain and is declared as the National Monument of Spain. 2. Mosque of Uqba: The Great Mosque of Kairouan (known as Mosque of Uqba) was established by the Arab General uqba ibn Nafiin in 670 AD. It is the oldest Islamic place of worship and proves to be one of the greatest Islamic arts. 3. Proserpina Dam: Built during 1st or 2nd century AD, this dam is one of the oldest Roman architectures. The Proserpina Dam is a Roman gravity dam built in Spain as a part of the infrastructure which supplied water to the city of Emerita Augusta.

Even though the city fell apart, the dam remains intact without any damage. It is a part of Archaeological Ensemble of Merida, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. 4. Caravan Bridge:The history of city of Izmir boasts of the Caravan Bridge. The bridge, currently in Turkey, was built around 850 BC and is one of the oldest functioning bridges in the world. The bridge is built over the river Meles. 5. The Santa Sophia:Santa Sophia (also known as Hagia Sophia) is a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. The structure was built in 537 AD as a Greek Orthodox Cathedral, then converted to a Roman Catholic and later to a mosque. The building is still intact and is now a museum open for public. What are some of the oldest buildings that are still in use? - Quora Quora Written Feb 9, 2014 The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera in southern Italy is a town carved out of soft tufa rock. The site has been inhabited since the Paleolithic.

According to UNESCO, its buildings were continuously excavated, expanded and improved "over more than two millenia." Some rooms are thought to date back to the Bronze Age. In 1950, the Italian government forced its inhabitants to leave, but since then portions of the town have been reoccupied. You can stay overnight in some restored cave rooms, which have been converted into the hotel "Le Grotte della Civita." (Interior image below from the hotel's Sextantio site) Caravan Bridge over the river Meles in Izmir, Turkey 0850 BC This is the Caravan Bridge over the river Meles in Izmir, Turkey. It was built around 850 BC, which makes it more than 2,860 years old—qualifying as the oldest functioning bridge in the world. Mahabodhi Temple 0260 BC The Mahabodhi Temple (महाबोधि मंदिर) (Literally: "Great Awakening Temple"), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment.

Bodh Gaya (located in Gaya district) is located about 96 km (60 mi) from Patna, Bihar state, India. Dujiangyan irrigation system 0256 BC Dujjangyan (Chinese: 都江堰; pinyin: Dūjiāngyàn) is an irrigation infrastructure built in 256 BC during the Warring States period of China by the Kingdom of Qin. It is located in the Min River (Chinese: 岷江; pinyin: Mínjiāng) in Sichuan province, China, near the capital Chengdu. It is still in use today to irrigate over 5,300 square kilometers of land in the region. Sanchi Stupa 0200 BC The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BC. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics.

Ponte Fabricio, Rome 0062 BC Ponte Fabricio, in Rome, was built in 62 BC. The bridge is almost unchanged, and still serves thousands of Romans today. Pula Arena 0027 BC - 0068 AD The Pula Arena is the name of the amphitheatre located in Pula, Croatia. The Arena is the only remaining Roman amphitheatre to have four side towers and with all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. It was constructed in 27 BC - 68 AD and is among the six largest surviving Roman arenas in the World A rare example among the 200 Roman surviving amphitheatres, it is also the best preserved ancient monument in Croatia. Theatre of Marcellus, Rome 0013 BC The Theatre of Marcellus once was Rome’s largest open-air theatre—built in the last years of the Republic. The building has undergone several modifications over its history, and today, the upper portion serves as apartments.

Verona Arena 0030 AD The Verona Arena (Arena di Verona) is a Roman amphitheatre in Piazza Bra in Verona, Italy, which is internationally famous for the large-scale opera performances given there. It is one of the best preserved ancient structures of its kind. Arena of Nîmes 0070 AD The Arena of Nîmes is a Roman amphitheatre found in the French city of Nîmes. Built around 70 AD, it was remodelled in 1863 to serve as a bullring. The Arenas of Nîmes is the site of two annual bullfights during the Feria de Nîmes, and it is also used for other public events. Colosseum, Rome 0070 AD - 0080 AD The Colosseum once regularly hosted fifty thousand Romans, eager to witness the blood and violence of the legendary gladiators. Because of its ruined state, these days it can only hold a few hundred people on temporary plastic seats for (horribly overpriced) cultural events. Larger concerts and Roman Catholic events are also held outside, using the Colosseum as a dramatic backdrop.

Proserpina Dam 0100 AD The Proserpina Dam (Merida, Spain) dates from the first or second century AD, and once fed the Roman aqueduct taking water to a nearby city. This ancient Roman gravity dam is still used by local farmers to irrigate crops. Kallanai Dam 0100 AD Kallanai (also known as the Grand Anicut) is an ancient dam built across the Kaveri River in Thanjavur District in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India. Located at a distance of 15 km from Tiruchirapalli, the dam was originally constructed by the Chola king Karikala around the 2nd Century AD and is considered to be one of the oldest water-diversion or water-regulator structures in the world which is still in use. It still stands as a symbol of Tamil Engineering. Pantheon, Rome 0117 AD The Pantheon in Rome was built as a temple by Hadrian in 117 AD, and has been in continuous use throughout its history. It is one of the best-preserved of all Roman buildings, now a museum and Roman Catholic church.

Rome's Mausoleum of Hadrian 0139 AD Rome's Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as Castel Sant'Angelo was completed in 139 AD and converted to a fortress around 400 AD. It's still a fortress (and a museum) today. Tower of Hercules 0150 AD The Tower of Hercules is an ancient Roman lighthouse near A Coruña, Galicia, in north-western Spain. The structure is almost 1,900 years old and still in use today. Basilica of Constantine at Trier, Germany 0306 AD The Basilica of Constantine at Trier, Germany is a Roman palace and basilica that was built at the beginning of the 4th century. Today it's used as church by a congregation within the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland. Santa Sabina, Rome 0422 AD The church Santa Sabina in Rome, built in 422 AD, hasn't been changed since it was built, and is still in use by the Catholic Church.

Santa Sophia, Istanbul Turkey 0537 AD The Santa Sophia (also known as Hagia Sophia) in Istanbul, Turkey has been church, mosque and museum since it was completed in 537 AD. Saint Catherine's Monastery 0550 AD Built between 548 and 565,[1] the monastery is one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world, according to UNESCO report 60100 ha / Ref: 954. Church of the Nativity 0565 AD Likewise, the Church of the Nativity (565 AD, Bethlehem, West Bank) is one of the oldest church buildings in the world—today, it still hosts multiple church services every day. Great Mosque of Kairouan 0670 AD The Mosque of Uqba (670 AD) aka the Great Mosque of Kairouan, Tunisia, is one of the oldest mosques in the world.

Umayyad Mosque 0715 AD The Umayyad Mosque, also known as the Great Mosque of Damascus (Arabic: جامع بني أمية الكبير‎, Romanization Ğāmi' Banī 'Umayya al-Kabīr), located in the old city of Damascus, is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. It is considered by some Muslims to be the fourth-holiest place in Islam. Nanchan Temple (Wutai) 0782 AD The Nanchan Temple is a Buddhist temple near the town of Doucun on Wutaishan, in Shanxi Province, China. It was built in 782 AD, and its Great Buddha Hall is currently China's oldest preserved timber building in existence. Borobudur 0825 AD Borobudur, or Barabudur, is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage; once a year, Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction.

Acoma Pueblo 1100 AD The Acoma Pueblo, also known as "Sky City," is a Native American pueblo located west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Acoma have continuously occupied the area for more than 800 years, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Tower of Hercules - A Roman Lighthouse in Spain | don Quijote Read the Spanish version Since the dawn of humanity our fear of the dark has been present in all known cultures. Our devotion to the sun which gives us warmth and light and the moon which illuminates the night as well as that magical element, fire, is well known to all. Darkness produces fear in us, raises suspicions and is disorienting especially to sailors and pilots. When people began to navigate, first by sailing along the coast and later going out into the tempestuous seas, there has always been present in one strategic spot or another along the coast, lights that warn sailors of nearby rocks. Lighthouses have formed a part of our history and have shed light, literally and metaphorically, on our heritage.

We only need to remember the Colossus of Rhodes, that fabulous lighthouse shaped like the god Helios flanking the entrance to the Greek port of Rhodes in the 3rd century BCE. We shouldn't forget the lighthouse of Alexandria that was built around the same time as the Colossus. This lighthouse guided sailors into the port of this Egyptian city. Unfortunately, both have disappeared and today we only have their memory. But in Galicia, in the city of La Coruña, located on a hill above the water and surrounded by a park (which is also home to an outdoor sculpture garden) we find a lighthouse that is the pride and joy of the people of La Coruña (Coruñeses) and whose name evokes mythical origins: The Tower of Hercules. A Roman Lighthouse Still Working Today This is the only working Roman lighthouse remaining today—quite a feat to be the oldest lighthouse in the world and still working as such to this day. Built between the first and second centuries CE, this monument was built on what was then known as finis terrae (the end of the Earth).

The tower is located on a rocky hilltop, Punto Eiras, 200 feet (60 m) above the water. When you consider that the tower is 165 ft (50 m) high and combining that with height of the cliff, with a total height reaching 365 ft above the water, the light emitted would have been visible from a long distance away. The original lighthouse is now covered in a neoclassical style façade that was built in the 18th century in an attempt to modernize the structure and its navigational apparati. This important event was used to inspect and understand exactly how the tower was functioning for so many years—and continue to do so in the future. The construction that you see today is in the form of a square with each side almost 38 feet long (11.5 m). The original height was approximately 115 ft (35 m) and what is above that was constructed during the restoration performed in 1789. Surprisingly, even though the lighthouse was working during the Middle Ages, the building fell into disrepair.

What saved the tower from ruin was the growing importance of La Coruña as a port of entry with shipping traffic coming here to load and unload goods for northern and northwestern Spain. In light of this, the Ministry of the Navy ordered its restoration. The Romans , by choosing this location for its original lighthouse, placed it on top of a shrine for the people living here who, as commonly happens, associated these cliffs overlooking the water with deities that could be associated with the figure of Hercules. Maybe it is due to this association that some of the legends have arisen surrounding the tower without taking into account the reality of its historic past (something legends don't need nor will ever need). One legend says that Hercules himself came to these coasts where Geryon, the mythical king of Tartessos, exercised his despotic rule. Hercules, responding to the calls of help from the people of Tartessos, killed and buried the evil Geryon. On top of his burial mound, Hercules made a giant bonfire from which the Tower of Hercules was born.

Another legend, of Celtic origin, says that Breogán (or Breoghan), who was an Irish leader, conquered the people of this area and founded the city of Brigantium (La Coruña). It is here where he built a tower of such enormous height that one could see his native island. This legend also is the reason why this lighthouse is also known as Breogán's Tower. In 2007, the tower was recognized as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The tower is also twinned with the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Faro de Moro in Havana, Cuba, which is the oldest lighthouse in the Americas. This historic lighthouse occupies a place in the Spanish collective memory and even though its image may be well known, we can't avoid shuddering in awe when we find ourselves before its magical and evocative silhouette that's been lighting the way along the Galician coast for 2000 years. Contact us

Question: In which country is the Tower of Hercules, the oldest roman lighthouse still in use today?
Answer: Spain